THE EUROPEAN Parliament will consider letting individual British people opt in to the EU and KEEP their voting rights and free movement after Brexit.

Under the scheme europhiles in post-Brexit Britain could apply for “associative citizenship”, giving them the right to move around the bloc and a vote in the European Parliament elections to represent their interests.

If the plan goes ahead it could allow the UK to close its borders, but still give British people complete freedom to travel within to the bloc.

But Brexiteers have claimed scheming eurocrats are “sticking two fingers up” at British public – and the proposal is a ploy to maintain control of British borders.

The proposal to give ex-EU citizens the same rights as people living under the bloc has been put forward by Liberal Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens.

Related articles

In the amendment he suggests: “European associate citizenship for those who feel and wish to be part of the European project but are nationals of a former Member State.”

He added the proposal “offers these associate citizens the rights of freedom of movement and to reside on its territory as well as being represented in the Parliament through a vote in the European elections on the European lists”.

Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge called the amendment "sinister" and an attempt “to make EU citizenship something when it is a political fabrication."

He told Express.co.uk: “The EU referendum was a victory for Brexit because people voted for primacy of British sovereignty and a demand to control migration.

GETTY

Bill Etheridge said the proposal showed 'the futility of a reasoned debate' with Guy Verhoftstadt

This amendment is sticking two fingers up to the majority of voters in this country

Bill Etheridge, Ukip MEP

"This amendment is sticking two fingers up to the majority of voters in this country by saying the EU can control our borders even after Brexit and British citizenship can be superseded.

"It demonstrates the futility of a reasoned debate with the European Parliament led by arch Federalist Verhoftstadt and a need for this government to press on with Brexit."

"There is no such thing as associate citizenship . You can have dual citizenship but this appears to be very different and rather sinister."

Meanwhile Jayne Adye, director of the Get Britain Out campaign, is skeptical that the EU would let Britain have their cake and eat it following the referendum vote.

Brexit aftershocks: Who's next to leave the EU?

Wed, September 14, 2016

Britain has voted to leave the EU. So who's next? We look at which European countries want to hold their own EU referendum.